Monday, July 7, 2008

We’re finally starting to put together a tour for the paperback release of Look Me in the Eye, which goes on sale September 9. Most paperbacks are merely less expensive versions of the hardcover, but mine is actually changed and improved in addition to being price-engineered. Furthermore, thanks to TMS research, I myself am changed and improved. Now, you can see it all, live and in person. It should add up to an entertaining spectacle.

And actually, fuel costs being what they are, paperback tours are a bit of an oddity this year. Luckily, though, I thrive on oddity. And now it’s time to ask all of you for help. I’ve got a preliminary list of places, but I depend upon you to gather an audience.

The list of cities I’m visiting was initially determined by my publisher, who looks at your requests, nationwide sales trends and requests from booksellers. We (I say “we” because we share the paperback travel costs) then weigh the timing and travel issues, and come up with a firm schedule, which should happen within 2 weeks.

Here’s a partial but mostly complete list of cities.

Los Angeles, CA

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, WA

Portland, OR

Dayton, OH

Chicago, IL

Boulder, CO

Las Vegas, NV

Miami, FL

Burlington, VT – I’ll be at the Burlington Book Festival the second weekend of September.

Newburyport, MA

Boston, MA – I’m appearing at the Asperger Association conference on October 9, but I’ve also been invited to some bookstores and colleges later on

For the most part, these are all cities I did not reach on my original hardcover tour. If you live in any of these cities, and you’re interested in hooking me up with local schools, autism groups, Asperger groups, parent organizations, etc . . . I’d love to hear from you. All of these book tour appearances will be free of charge, and open to the public.

If you work in media in any of these cities, I’d love to hear from you too . . .

If you want me to appear just for you, someplace else, there’s a link to the folks at Lavin (my lecture agents) on the right sidebar. Lavin books my college appearances, and my engagements with boards of education, private schools, and professional societies. We still have a few open dates for them.

Once again, I hope to meet a bunch more of you bloggers in person. And with names like Anti Wife or Sex Scenes, who wouldn’t want to meet you in person? I’ll even go on a diet and exercise so I’ll be bright-eyed and alert for the occasion.

I (like I said on myspace) hope to make it to the AANE conference but if I can't I will try to get to Newburyport though its kinda long drive with three short people...err kids :) Now if it were in metrowest Mass...

I'll insist my ex come to the Dayton show (since he lives there anyhow.) If I would have known about Aspergers when we were married, perhaps he wouldn't be my ex LOL but it's taken my son to make me recognize what goes on with both of them. I told him about the book but he didn't say anything. I guess the email saying "you should read this" didn't actually request a response. I'm learning!

I'm very excited to hear that you are coming to LA! I live eighteen miles north of Los Angeles in the Thousand Oaks area and my Barnes & Noble would LOVE to have you do a Book Signing. I contacted Michele Kantor, who is in charge of public appearances for this store, and she told me that your Publisher has to arrange the appearance with Barnes & Noble in NY. She was thrilled that you might be available though and would LOVE to have you and hopes that it can happen.

Thousand Oaks is one of the prettiest areas around LA and is at least 15 degrees cooler than The Valley at all times, which you may already know since you are not new to traveling. It might be very kewl to stay out here and drive in.

I can't wait to meet you. If you can't make it to TO, I will, of course, travel in to see you but I think you'd love this particular store. I don't want to name drop but you never know when Ray Bradbury might be stopping by to visit with his daughter. :-) Please come!